Singapore keglers to strike up challenge
20th May, Singapore: American colleged-based and national kegler, Jazreel Tan and two-time US major tournament champion, Kelly Kulick will be amongst many star-studded bowlers making their appreance at the 44th Singapore International Open to be held from May 24 to June 4 at Orchid Bowl, Orchid Country Club. Kulick, the first women to claim the US Women's Open and USBC Queen's titles will make her debut while Jazreel, who was named WBAA Collegiate Bowler of the Year last month, are expected to add prominence to this year's championship.
Singapore's homegrown talent Cherie Tan, who emerged as the first non-European women champion in the European Bowling Tour (EBT) Masters 2011, will also be returning to Singapore to compete in the championship.
Adding strength to Singapore's challenge will also come from Guangzhou Asian Games Trios gold medalists, Shayna Ng and Geraldine Ng, bronze medalist, New Hui Fen and 2008 AMF World Cup champion, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan.
The championship is expected to attract some 500 bowlers this year and bowling enthusiasts can expect a spectacular display of bowling prowess with the presence of these prominent bowlers.
Sin Li Jane of Malaysia will have her hands full in attempting to defend the title she won last year. Bowlers from countries such as Australia, Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar, Thailand, Indonesia, Guam, Bahrain, UAE and Hong Kong will also be making their presence here this year.
The stepladder grand finals will be broadcast LIVE via Starhub SuperSports Arena (channel 201) on Saturday, 4 June 2011 at 6.30pm, allowing the local community to catch the final action.
"Bowling is one of the key sports that has consistently brought sporting glory to Singapore over the years. As the international championship participated by our home-grown talents such as Remy Ong, Jason Yeong-Nathan, Jasmine Yeong-Nathan and Cherie Tan, the live broadcast of the stepladder grand finals will elevate the awareness of our key marquee event and our local athletes more prominently through a local sports channel," said Mrs Jessie Phua, President of SingaporeBowling.
Fringe activities this year includes a dialogue session on 1 June 2011 for youth bowlers to meet up with a panel of prominent bowlers that include Kelly Kulick (USA), Zulmazran Zulkifli (Malaysia) and Singaporeans Cherie Tan and Jazreel Tan.
Youth bowlers will have the opportunity to listen to these bowlers sharing their experience competing on the lanes and be involved in the Q&A session. This dialogue session will be chaired and moderated by our national bowler and world champion, Remy Ong.
Other fringe activities held concurrently with the 44th Singapore International Open include the IBPSIA Hands On Training Seminar (H.O.T.S) which will be held for the first time in South-East Asia from 31 May – 3 June 2011 and a 3-day seminar targeted for bowling coaches, sports administrators and youth bowlers from 31 May – 2 June 2011.
"The strong support from the various regional bowling federations is one important factor to help us sustain the appeal and widen the international participation to our Singapore International Open for the 44th year," said Mrs Jessie Phua, President of SingaporeBowling.
"In return for their support, we are providing this platform for the different stakeholders to be more highly involved in the various fringe activities organized during their presence this year in Singapore, which gives them more reasons to be here."
This year's event will feature a total prize fund of $150,000 which includes perfect game prizes worth a total of $50,000 and more prizes set aside for the youth division this year.
Photos by Terence Yaw and courtesy of Bowl.com.